Ethnobotanical knowledge of plants used for handicrafts and household practices in Yasothon Province, Thailand

Abstract

Plants used for handicraft and household (HH) purposes play an important role in supporting rural livelihoods, material culture, and traditional ecological knowledge in northeastern Thailand. However, ethnobotanical information on the diversity, utilization patterns, and cultural importance of these plant resources in Yasothon Province remains limited. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of plant species used for non-food and non-medicinal purposes, with emphasis on their functional roles in daily household activities and traditional craftsmanship. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and guided field walks with local informants in Yasothon Province. Plant specimens were identified and categorized according to their uses. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including the Cultural Importance Index (CI) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate cultural significance and agreement among informants. Additional analyses were conducted to examine species composition, growth forms, resource origins, and plant parts used. A total of 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and 16 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most species-rich family. Trees were the dominant growth form, and native species slightly exceeded introduced taxa. Cultivated plants represented the main source of raw materials, followed by wild and mixed sources. Shoots were the most frequently used plant parts. Bambusa spinosa Roxb. showed the highest Cultural Importance Index (CI = 1.037), followed by × Thyrsocalamus liang Sungkaew & W.L.Goh (CI = 0.833), Cocos nucifera L. (CI = 0.667), and Musa balbisiana Colla (CI = 0.630), indicating their strong multifunctional roles in local household and handicraft systems. Construction materials and household utilities were the most frequently cited use categories, while packaging showed the lowest cumulative importance. Informant Consensus Factor values were consistently high across all categories (0.963–0.980), indicating strong agreement on plant use within the community. Plant resources used for handicraft and household purposes in Yasothon Province form an important component of local biocultural systems. The predominance of cultivated multipurpose species highlights an adaptive strategy that supports resource availability while reducing pressure on wild populations. These plant-based practices contribute to household self-reliance, cultural continuity, and environmentally sustainable resource use. Supporting the conservation and sustainable management of culturally important species may help maintain traditional knowledge and strengthen rural livelihood resilience in northeastern Thailand.